Ghazipur, the administrative headquarters of the
Ghazipur District, is 70 km northeast of
Varanasi, on the banks of the
Ganges.
The town was named after Ghazi Malik, a Muslim ruler of 14th century. Under the British rule, it developed as a strategically important port town. The then British cantonment now houses a college, a bazaar, a church and the Mausoleum of Lord Cornwallis, who died here in 1805.
Ghazipur is a major agricultural market in the district. It has a thriving handloom and perfume industry.
The nearest airport is at Varanasi. The
National Highway 29 passes through Ghazipur and is connected by road to Varanasi, Allahabad, Lucknow and
Gorakhpur. The railway station at Ghazipur links it with New Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow and major towns nearby.
